Happy Canada Day!

Today we celebrate this amazing country that we've inherited.

Over the years, I've had the opportunity to visit much of it and to meet so many people from all walks of life. It is a beautiful land.

I have also, over that time, had the opportunity to travel to more than 25 countries on three continents. In my travels, I've learned two things.

First, it matters not where you go. It matters not what province or state or country you're in. People aren't much different. There are wonderful, kind and generous people ... and there are, to put it politely, other people. Attitudes and prejudices change, depending on the culture, but the people behind those attitudes, both good and bad, are people.

Second, we really do live in a special and privileged place. Oh, we bellyache something fierce, but our land is a beautiful and bountiful land. And remember, that beauty and bounty was not created by us. We, and our forefathers, were simply blessed with the opportunity to live here. It's a prosperous and peaceful place. We are very fortunate indeed to live in a country where our forefathers had the foresight to create a society that values care for community and values its diverse population.

Were they—or are we—perfect?

Of course not. There have been a lot of very dark chapters in our history, but through it all they, and we, built a nation where healthcare is not dependent on the size of your wallet, where people are welcome to practise their own culture and faith and where community safety is valued.

Today is a day to celebrate those blessings.

So yes, Happy Canada Day!